**Revenge**
“Listen, Sophie, I promised a colleague Id help him move today,” James said, shrugging into his jacket.
“Today?” Sophie raised an eyebrow.
“He just bought a new two-bed flat. His wifes about to have a baby.”
“Last Saturday, you were out ‘celebrating’ someones new car. All your mates seem to be doing so well. Meanwhile, weve got neither a new car nor a bigger place. Why is that, James?”
“Dont start, Soph. Next weekend, I promise, well do something together.” He pulled her close, searching her eyes.
“Ill believe it when I see it. Every weekend, theres some ‘unexpected’ thing.” She stepped back.
“Fine. Want me to call and cancel?” James scowled.
“No. You promisedso go.”
His face lit up. “Soph, youre an angel. So, Ill head off?” He leaned in, but she pressed a hand to his chest, gently pushing him away.
“Just dont forget your promise for next weekend.”
***
Theyd all been at uni togetherSophie, James, and Daniel. As often happens, Sophie fancied James, while Daniel fancied Sophie. They sat together in lectures, went to the cinema, and the lads walked her home. One evening, Daniel confessed his feelings.
“Sorry, but its James for me,” Sophie admitted honestly.
“Fair enough. Cant help how you feel,” Daniel sighed.
After that, Daniel stopped sitting with them in lectures or walking her home. If they met at the pub, hed leave early.
James had a small flatinherited from his granddadwhere their group often hung out. Sophie visited but never stayed over, no matter how James pleaded. But on New Years Eve, she did. Soon after, they moved in together.
Daniel rarely visited. Seeing them happy together was too much, even if James was his mate.
“When are you two getting married?” he asked during their graduation celebration.
“Were fine as we are, right, Soph?” James answered for them both.
Sophie looked down, silent.
“Youre wrong. Every girl dreams of a wedding and a white dress. Sophie, dump him. Marry me instead,” Daniel blurted.
James shot him a dark look.
“Actually, Ive been meaning to proposejust waiting for the right moment.” James pulled a ring from his pocket. “Sophie, will you marry me?” His gaze locked onto hers.
Her face flushed with joy. “Of course!” She didnt notice Daniel stand up and walk out.
Two months later, Daniel was their best man.
“Soph, if he ever treats you badly, just say the word,” he murmured at the reception.
“Speaking of weddingswhens yours?” Sophie teased.
“Oh, hes waiting for us to divorce,” James laughed. “Good luck with that.” He smirked at Daniel.
“Enough,” Sophie cut in. “Lets dance.” She tugged James from the table.
Three months into their marriage, Daniel arrived at Sophies birthday with a massive bouquet of red roses. After the guests left, James fumed, accusing her of making too big a deal of the gift. Everyone had noticedand it embarrassed him.
“Dont be jealous. I only love you,” Sophie said.
“Hope so,” James muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, but fights crept inmostly over Jamess jealousy. He resented any man who so much as glanced at Sophie. He wanted her to have a baby and stay home. But Sophie wanted to work first, gain experience. Lately, shed noticed James acting oddly. Every weekend, he invented excuses to leave. If he stayed, he was irritable, bored, snapping at everything.
“Dan, does James have someone else?” she finally asked Daniel.
“Soph, come onhe loves you,” Daniel said, avoiding her eyes.
“Youre a terrible liar,” Sophie scoffed.
***
And now James had bolted again. Sophie sighed and cleaned the flat until it sparkled. As she hung laundry on the balcony, the doorbell rang. Thinking it might be Jamesthough he had his keyshe opened it to find Daniel.
“You? Wheres James?” she demanded.
“Hes not here?” Daniel frowned. “Mind if I come in? So, where is he?”
“Fine. Tea? Hes helping someone move.”
“Right. Forgot.” Daniel slapped his forehead. Sophie eyed him but said nothing.
Silence stretched over tea.
“Soph, I still fancy you,” Daniel finally said.
“Dan, I thought youd moved on.”
“Just wanted you to know.”
“I know, Dan.”
“Theres something else.” He sipped his tea, avoiding her gaze.
“This sounds ominous. Should I worry?”
“James thinks youre cheating. That youve got someone,” Daniel blurted.
“I know. Did he ask you to find out who?” She laughed bitterly. “Theres no one. You said it yourselfI love my husband.”
“James asked me to flirt with you. You get it, right?” He reddened.
“No, I dont.”
“He wanted me to seduce you,” Daniel mumbled.
“A test? Seriously?” Sophies voice turned icy.
“Basically. Look, I refused at first. But you know himonce he gets an idea Better me than some stranger. He made me swear not to tell you.”
“Dan, are you joking? You knew hed be out and came anyway?”
“Soph, I agreed to come, but not to play along. Thats why Im telling you. Im not that guy.” He wiped sweat from his brow.
“This is vile. Id expect this from James, but you?”
“People suspect others of what theyre guilty of themselves. Does James have someone?”
“I dont know.” Daniel stood, grabbing a tea towel to dab his forehead. Before he could sit, Sophie cut in.
“Leave.”
“Yeah.” He hesitated. “Soph, Im here if you need me.”
“Dan, just go.”
She couldnt believe James had sunk so lowusing his best friend to trap her. Or had Daniel lied to drive them apart? But why confess? Her mind raced, but answers eluded her. Resentment swelled. Maybe *she* shouldve been the jealous one. Where *was* he every weekend? Late after work
She decided to wait, think carefully. When James came home, she served dinner. He didnt look tiredif anything, he seemed energised.
“All moved in?” she asked lightly.
“Yep.”
“No celebratory pint?”
“His wifes pregnant, like I said.”
“Mustve been far. You were gone ages.”
“Had to assemble furniture.” James kept his eyes on his plate.
“Dan dropped by. Why didnt you ask him to help?”
“Said he was busy. Whyd he come?” James finally looked up.
Sophie shrugged. “Just chatted. Had tea.” She studied him.
“Im knackered. Need a shower.” James stood.
For days, Sophie brooded. Thenrevenge. If James wanted to test her, shed return the favour. A glamorous, free-spirited coworker, Eve, agreed to help. Over coffee, Sophie outlined her plan.
“Not scared Ill steal him?” Eve smirked.
“Thats why I asked you. But dont go too farjust enough so I catch you.”
Eve laughed. “He worth it?”
“Decent enough. Saturday, hell be home. Ill say a friend needs babysitting. You show up, say youll wait for me then improvise.”
“Sure you wont regret it?”
Sophie hesitated. “So, youll do it?”
Tired of doubt, she clung to anger. How *dare* he distrust herthen send his *friend*? Let him prove *he* could resist temptation.
James protested when Sophie announced her plans that Saturday.
“A colleagues dropping off paperworkwait for her, yeah?” she said, ensuring he wouldnt flee.
She shopped, phone off, but unease gnawed her. What was happening at home? Revenge felt petty now. Alex had been honestEve wasnt. Was she any better?
She rushed back, breathless, cursing herself. Bursting in, she froze.
On the sofa, James and Eve sprang apart.
“Sophie?!” James leapt up, dishevelled.
“Whod you expect?”
Eve smoothed her dress, smirked, and strolled past Sophie, slamming the door.
“Soph, its not what”
“What *should* I think? With *her*? On *our* sofa? Glad I came back early.”
“Soph, she came onto mebut Im only human”
“And loving it. So, what now? Were even? I cant trust you. Ill have a baby, be stuck at home, while you help mates? Enough lies. Using *Dan*? Thats low. Im done.”
“He *told* you? That snake.” James shook his head.
“Hes *my* friend too,” Sophie snapped.
“Soph, come on I messed up, but youre no saint”
“A *game* to you? If Id been laterwould you have shagged her *here*?”
“Soph, please”
“Stop. No more lies. None of your mates were moving. I checked. No kidsdivorcell be quick. The flats yours. Ill leave.” Her voice cracked.
“To Daniels?” James flared.
“You *idiot*.” She glared.
At her parents, she announced the split.
“Ill stay till I find a place,” she said wearily.
“You rushed in. Shouldve married first,” her mum fretted.
“Forget renting. Weve savingsenough for a one-bed,” her dad grunted.
“Dad, no.”
“Just *once*, listen,” he snapped. Defeated, she agreed.
Rainy autumn turned to winter. New Years Eve, Sophie wanted solitude. A week after she left, James moved another woman innot even waiting for the divorce. Confirmation: hed been cheating.
Miserable, she resolved to see midnight, drink champagne, and sleep. The doorbell startled her. Expecting her parents, she opened it to Daniel, holding a small, decorated tree.
“Knew youd be alone.”
“Howd you find me?” She nearly hugged him.
They placed the tree by the champagne. She fetched another flute. At midnight, they clinked glasses.
“Guess your wish,” she said.
“Same as yours,” Daniel smiled.
They laughed, lightness returning.
A year later, they married. Nine months after that, twin girls arrived. If happiness came, why not in abundance?
Sometimes, revenge has its usesit clears the air.
